Initial Ecological Report BLYDEVILLE MIXED USE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT DRAFT INITIAL ECOLOGICAL REPORT AUGUST 2016 Compiled for: Tholoana Sustainable and Development Consultants Compiled by: Ecological & Environmental Consultants Eco Assessments cc PO Box 441037 LINDEN 2104 Tel. 011 782 3428 Fax: 011 888 9588 [email protected] Project Reference: 1317/16 i Blydeville Compiled by Eco Assessments Initial Ecological Report TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures ......................................................................................................... iii List of Appendices .................................................................................................. iii 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1 2. Scope of work/Approach .................................................................................. 1 3. Project description, locality and landuse ........................................................ 1 4. Provincial sensitivities and ecological context ............................................... 2 4.1 PRIMARY VEGETATION ..................................................................................................2 4.2 WETLANDS, RIVER COURSES & STREAMS .....................................................................7 4.3 THREATENED SPECIES AND SPECIES OF SPECIAL CONCERN ............................................7 4.4 RED DATA FAUNA HABITAT ..........................................................................................7 4.5 VEGETATION TYPES ......................................................................................................7 5. Key ecological issues ....................................................................................... 8 5.1 IMPACTS ON ECOSYSTEMS AND DISRUPTION TO ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES .......................8 5.2 LOSS OF SENSITIVE SPECIES .........................................................................................8 5.3 PROVINCIAL POLICY CONSTRAINTS ................................................................................8 5.4 BUFFER AREAS ............................................................................................................9 6. Limitations ......................................................................................................... 9 6.1 ECOLOGICAL CYCLES ...................................................................................................9 7. Discussion and Conclusion ............................................................................. 9 8. References ......................................................................................................... 9 Appendix 1 Threatened plant species ............................................................. 11 Appendix 2 Threatened bird species ............................................................... 12 Appendix 3 Threatened mammals ................................................................... 13 ii Blydeville Compiled by Eco Assessments Initial Ecological Report List of Figures Figure 1. Regional Locality Figure 2. Aerial map Figure 3. Vegetation Type Figure 4. Critical Biodiversity Areas List of Appendices Appendix 1 Threatened plants species – North West Province Appendix 2 Threatened Bird Species – North West Province Appendix 3 Threatened Mammal Species – North West Province iii Blydeville Compiled by Eco Assessments Initial Ecological Report 1. Introduction A housing project of 63 hectares is proposed for a site in the town Blydeville, located in the North West province (Figure 1). Blydeville is one of the neighbourhoods of the town of Lichtenburg. Eco Assessments, as expert ecological specialists, has been contracted to assess the ecological impact of the proposed development on the ecological habitats present. This report provides an initial ecological assessment of the study area and presents key issues and constraints for the proposed development. The focus of this report is to guide the applicant, environmental consultant as well as relevant specialists in the impact assessment phase of the project. A detailed and more thorough ecological impact assessment of the development will be compiled after this report in an appropriate time of year for fauna and flora occurrences. 2. Scope of work/Approach The initial assessment has included two key elements – Desk top assessment Project Evaluation & Issue Assessment The following steps/activities were undertaken for this screening level assessment: Red Data fauna and flora information was obtained from the affected provincial authorities to identify threatened Red Data flora and fauna species in the area; Various maps such as aerial, land type and google maps further provided information necessary to assess the habitats and subsequently the issues pertaining to fauna and flora of the study site; Initial literature searches were done to obtain information. The screening level assessment included evaluating a number of potential ecological impacts as these related to the proposed development and the features of the site and its surrounds. 3. Project description, locality and landuse The proposed development is predominantly a housing development that includes elements such as a crèche, a church, a community facility, clinic, local shopping centre and schools. The closest town to Lichtenburg is Coligny, 23 km southwest of Blydeville, with Mafikeng and Sannieshof being other closely located larger towns, approximately 60 km away respectively. Blydeville is located in the south of Lichtenburg and directly east of Ottosdal street (R505) that goes south south-westwards towards several towns as well as Ottosdal. 1 Blydeville Compiled by Eco Assessments Initial Ecological Report The site is presently vacant (Figure 2). Residential areas of Blydeville houses are located west of the site, the Lichtenburg Golf Club east of the site with some commercial development to the north and tree plantation blocks located to the south. 4. Provincial sensitivities and ecological context The Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development (READ) of the North West province developed a North West Biodiversity Sector plan 2015. The purpose of this document is to assist civil society, amonst others, with landuse planning. Several biodiversity factors are discussed in this document. The matter relevant to the Blydeville site, is listed below. 4.1 Primary Vegetation Primary vegetation refers to vegetation that has not significantly been disturbed by human related activities. These habitats generally have a low to very low abundance of alien species, has not been significantly transformed by grazing, ploughing or regular burning and normally has a sound vegetation structure and diversity of plant species. Primary vegetation is categorized according to certain classes listed below starting at highest importance: Critical Biodiversity Area (CBA) (1 - covers 8.4% of province; 2 – covers 20.7%) Ecological Support Area (ESA) (1- covers 22.4% of the province; 2 – covers 5.2%) CBAs are terrestrial and aquatic areas of the landscape that need to be maintained in a natural or near-natural state in order to ensure continued existence and functioning of species and ecosystems and the delivery of ecosystem services (e.g. flood mitigation). These areas need to be maintained in a natural or near natural state to meet biodiversity targets. (READ 2015) ESAs are terrestrial and aquatic areas that are not essential for meeting biodiversity targets, but which nevertheless play an important role in supporting the ecological functioning of critical biodiversity areas and/or delivering ecosystem services that support socio-economic development, such as water provision, flood mitigation or carbon sequestration. (READ 2015). No section of the site has been classified as ecologically sensitive as per these definition classes (Figure 4). This categorization and sensitivity will however be groundtruthed during the site visit. A CBA1 area is located directly north of the site and will be assessed as a secondary focus and specifically to limit impacts on potentially sensitive surrounding areas. 2 Blydeville Compiled by Eco Assessments Initial Ecological Report 3 Blydeville Compiled by Eco Assessments Initial Ecological Report 4 Blydeville Compiled by Eco Assessments Initial Ecological Report 5 Blydeville Compiled by Eco Assessments Initial Ecological Report 6 Blydeville Compiled by Eco Assessments Initial Ecological Report 4.2 Wetlands, River courses & Streams These are distinct habitat types identified by their position in the topography, presence of water or degree of saturation of the soil, nature of the soil present as well as type of vegetation occurring at a site. Riparian and wetland areas typically include a diversity of plant types, animal types and ecosystem processes that regulate the ecological integrity of a site or area. Much like ridges, river courses are instrumental in allowing species movement and act as corridors between areas and habitats. A small river (Groot Hartsrivier – to be confirmed) runs through the town. The site is approximately 1 km away from this river. No obvious smaller drainage lines are present on site. Should any wet areas however be found during the site assessment, they will be mapped and described in the impact assessment sections of the report. 4.3 Threatened species and species of special concern A total of 15 threatened plant species have been recorded